Apple

Silicon Debug Engineer

Apple$120K — $150K *
Telecommunications & Hardware
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BSEE/MSEE degree required.
  • Experience in SRAM circuits, custom circuit design, or silicon debug preferred.
  • Understanding of deep-submicron device physics and leakage mechanisms is crucial.
  • Solid grasp of device matching and noise sources impacting circuit precision.
  • Familiarity with electrical and physical failure analysis techniques required.
  • Knowledge of Dynamic Lock-in Thermography and its application for defect localization.
  • Proficiency in scripting languages like Python or Perl for efficient debug data handling.

Responsibilities

  • Investigate and identify root causes of silicon failures in custom digital megacells.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure swift product ramp and quality.
  • Apply electrical characterization and deep engineering fundamentals to complex issues.
  • Plan failure analysis strategies based on electrical debug insights.
  • Utilize advanced failure analysis techniques for silicon investigations.
  • Conduct structured experiments and analyze large datasets to inform debugging processes.

Benefits

  • Collaborative environment with cross-disciplinary teams.
  • Opportunity to impact the quality of products for millions of customers.
  • Access to cutting-edge technology and failure analysis techniques.
  • Role at the forefront of silicon investigation and debugging.
  • Involvement in high-performance, low-power SoC development.
Full Job Description
Do you have a passion for solving the hardest problems in silicon? Do you thrive at the intersection of circuit theory, device physics, and hands-on failure investigation? As part of our Silicon Debug group, you'll take complex, often elusive silicon failures and systematically uncover their root cause - from electrical characterization all the way down to physical analysis. You and your team will apply deep engineering fundamentals and cutting-edge failure analysis techniques to enable product ramp at scale. Your efforts will directly impact the quality and reliability of state-of-the-art ASICs that power experiences for millions of customers worldwide. Join us, and you'll play a central role in ensuring the silicon we build is everything it needs to be.

We have an extraordinary opportunity for Silicon Debug Engineers to investigate and root-cause failures in advanced custom digital megacells (SRAM memories, on-chip sensors, custom data paths) used in high-performance, low-power SoCs. You will bridge the gap between electrical debug and physical failure analysis, working at the frontier of silicon investigation.

Description

Imagine yourself at the center of our SoC bring-up and product ramp effort, collaborating across circuit design, process engineering, DFT, and failure analysis teams - with a critical impact on getting functional products to millions of customers quickly.

Minimum Qualifications

BSEE/MSEE

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in one or more of the following areas: SRAM circuits, custom circuit design, silicon debug.

Experience in design or debug of low-voltage / low-power custom circuits.

Deep understanding of deep-submicron device physics, leakage mechanisms, and technology interactions with device behavior.

Solid understanding of device matching, device noise sources (1/f, thermal), extrinsic noise sources (supply noise, jitter), and their impact on high-precision circuits.

Familiarity with electrical failure analysis (eFA) techniques and physical failure analysis (pFA) workflows, and the ability to plan FA strategies based on electrical debug data.

Understanding of Dynamic Lock-in Thermography (DLS) and Lock-in Thermography (LIT) for localization of resistive and leakage defects, including their sensitivity limits and how thermal signatures correlate to specific circuit fault modes.

Knowledge of Nanoprobe techniques for electrical probing of deep-submicron nodes, and appreciation of how probe contact, voltage bias, and electron beam exposure can perturb sensitive analog or memory circuits.

Awareness of how physical sample preparation steps (deprocessing, FIB cross-section, delayering) can alter or destroy evidence of electrical failures, and how to coordinate FA plans that preserve failure signatures.

Ability to interpret FA results (photon emission maps, OBIRCH, thermal maps, TEM/SEM imagery) in the context of circuit topology and failure electrical signatures.

Ability to conduct structured experiments during silicon debug, gather and analyze large datasets, and utilize scripting to support efficient handling of debug data.

Proficiency in scripting languages (Python, Perl, or others) and CAD automation tools.

Knowledge of industry-standard circuit design and simulation tools.

About Apple

Apple is a corporation that designs, manufactures, and markets mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, portable digital music players, and sells a variety of related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications. Apple provides many products and services, including iPhone; iPad; iPod; Mac; Apple TV; a portfolio of consumer and professional software applications; the iOS and OS X operating systems; iCloud; and accessories, service, and support offerings. It sells its products worldwide through its retail stores, online stores, direct sales force and third-party cellular network carriers, wholesalers, retailers, and value-added resellers to the consumer and also sells third-party iPhone, iPad, Mac and iPod compatible products, including application software and accessories through its online and retail stores. Introduced in 1984, the Macintosh was the first widely sold personal computer with a graphical user interface (GUI). That feature and others such as an improved floppy drive design and a low-cost hard drive that made data retrieval faster helped Apple cultivate a reputation for innovation. Apple was named as the most admired company in the United States in 2008 and in the world from 2008 to 2012 by the Fortune magazine. The company was founded by Steven Paul Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Gerald Wayne on April 1, 1976, and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.

Apple Careers

Join Apple, a place where extraordinary people gather to do their best work. Our ever-expanding global team is at the forefront of innovation and leadership in the tech industry. At Apple, we're not just building products—we're crafting the kind of wonder that revolutionizes entire industries. It's the diversity of our people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Work You’ll Do Embark on a journey with Apple’s market-leading team to help some of the world’s most influential companies navigate their path to digital mastery with cutting-edge technology and services. Transform industries and touch lives with your unique ideas at Apple. Here, you’ll lead through a unique position at the intersection of technology, creativity, and robust industry expertise. Collaborate with a global team of professionals who are at the top of their game in technology and design. Apple isn’t just a company, it’s a community of innovators and passionate thinkers. Introducing the Apple Innovation and Leadership Initiative We are building a market-leading team to drive our efforts in delivering groundbreaking solutions and services. At Apple, job opportunities are abundant, offering you the chance to explore diverse roles from engineering to marketing, all designed to empower your career growth. Do Innovative Work Join the largest group of creative and technical experts in the world—professionals dedicated to redefining what’s possible through technology and innovation. Deliver targeted solutions through a depth and breadth of expertise that’s unmatched, driving forward our commitment to excellence and leadership in every project we undertake. Be Part of a Great Team Engage in a wide range of projects utilizing Apple’s technology and resources. Harness the unparalleled capabilities, global scale, and joint solution development that only Apple can offer. Future-Proof Your Career Advance your career with limitless opportunities at Apple. Go as far as your ambition takes you with unmatched training, development, and certification support. Explore Discover how Apple is leading the way in tech innovation: [With iOS] Businesses can streamline operations and enhance customer interactions... READ MORE Smart home technology integration that sets the standard for convenience and security... READ MORE The Apple Experience Our combined service capabilities, global scale, and joint solution development help clients overcome challenges and lead transformation in their industries. Clients worldwide look to Apple for new strategies and solutions that drive growth and innovation in the digital era. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Whether you’re seeking a professional role, an internship, or a leadership position, Apple offers a variety of employment opportunities. SEARCH APPLE JOBS Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. See what exciting and rewarding opportunities await at Apple, a company committed to diversity, innovation, and leadership. Explore job opportunities, employment benefits, and the culture of growth and innovation at Apple. Prepare your resume, hone your interview skills, and ready yourself for a career at one of the most prestigious companies in the world. Join us in pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Learn more about Apple
Size
154,000 employees
Market Cap
$2,074.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
$63.9 billion
Founded
1976
5 Year Trend
+11.5%
Revenue
$294.1 billion
NASDAQ

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